Local arts organizations receiving less government funding over the last several years are being resourceful in how they keep their programs running.

Funding for our state goes to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts, and has varied depending on the year. Funding is down $26,200 since 2011, and there was a $130,700 decrease from 2010 to 2011.

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies has shown a moderate funding increase of 7.4 percent in the 2003 fiscal year.

"The recent increase in state arts funding is a welcome and encouraging sign," said Jonathan Katz, CEO of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in an earlier statement. "But the road to recovery remains long. Since 2001, state appropriations to the arts have declined by nearly 40 percent, leading to cutbacks in arts programs and services that have been keenly felt at the local level."

Other government and local organizations also contribute to the funding of local arts organizations.

Chambersburg Community Theatre

The Chambersburg Community Theatre receives some money from government sources, but not a significant portion, according to Executive Director Sally Herrit.

It has received money from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts through a grant called the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, but it is not a significant portion of its budget.

A program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, PPA is a partnership between the state and 13 arts agencies across the state

"Certainly every little bit helps," Herrit said.

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"But it's probably only 1 to 2 percent of our total budget."

While it has not been impacted dramatically, CCT officials are expecting to see some changes because of the economic issues in Washington. However, Herrit believes the theater group will continue to thrive because its reason to pursue a project is not based on receiving a grant and the programming it has chosen.

"So much of our budget is dependent on our programming and what we offer as a community theater group," she said. "We have hit on some big things recently. We have had more family and children programs, more family-friendly shows that can accommodate large casts."

She credits the continued success via a multi-pronged approach in which there has been more energy in the board of directors and volunteers, as well as more ticket sales.

"The more we can do that and get fundraising from the community itself, the less we have to rely on grants for," she said.

Capitol Theatre

The funding Capitol Theatre is missing the most, according to Manager Linda Boeckman, affects the structure more than programming and operations.

"The funding we are missing the most is that we used to be able to receive HUD (Housing and Urban Development) funding and money from Chambersburg Borough for the historic part of the building; our bricks and mortar grants."

With the loss of this, it's harder, she says, to replace some of the antiquated things and aging equipment that the theater has used for many years.

"A lot of things need to be upgraded," she said.

Included in the list of upgrades are the curtains in the main auditorium, which are still functional but deteriorating after years of use. The carpet has had patchwork done instead of being replaced and some sound system pieces are older and should be upgraded along with the times, she said.

A large piece that has to be fixed, Boeckman said, is the front marquee.

"It's been hit by several trucks," she said. "It needs to be replaced."

The theater is looking into doing a campaign to raise money for improvements that need to be done but the problem arises because of the operational costs needing to come first.

"We don't have the extra funds to repair if we need to use it for everyday operations," Boeckman said.

Since January, the theater has been doing better, but the numbers haven't been the same as last year.

"People are making choices as a result of the times," she said. "Instead of two or three shows a year, they are seeing one or two. We are still seeing people, just less."

Being hit the way they are, Capitol staff and volunteers are remaining positive and planning for the future.

"It's very important we stay very aware of what needs done and prioritize what is done," Boeckman said. "So that when money does become available, things that need fixed and things that need repaired get done so we don't lose the theater for future generations."

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Lauren Cappuccio can be contacted at lcappuccio@publicopinionnews.com and 262-4754.

By the numbers

Funding for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts: